I. Introduction

The preparation process is rigorous and requires discipline. The curriculum is planned to be rigorous for a reason.

You have to accomplish likewise a level of things to be promoted in the work of God.

Photos are developed in a darkroom. You have to be careful not to let light into that room. Light will distort the picture or finished product. If the room remains dark during the process, then eventually the picture will be developed.

In like manner, God puts you in a dark place so that He can develop you. We have to be careful not to uproot so fast when things don’t seem to be to our liking. When we get out of position, then we have allowed the process to be exposed to light. This destroys the finished product. We have to be willing to stay in the dark room long enough for God to develop us.

Know that your period of development may take longer than someone elses.

Proverbs 24:27 (NKJV) 27 Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house. The message bible says, Proverbs 24:27 (MSG) 27 First plant your fields; then build your barn. – Look at the order. If you work, labor, and sow, you have something to put into the barn. If you don’t labor, you don’t have anything to put into the barn.

Just like this example, it is important not to end up empty.

II. Seek God First

Matthew 6:3 (NKJV) 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, – God has a way of reminding us that he must be our first priority. You have to see God early enough, so that you won’t allow retractions from your story line. You don’t want to say God told you to do something, and later say he told you to do something else.

Proverbs 19:21 (NKJV) 21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.- There are a lot of things you are passionate about in your heart, but do they line up with God’s counsel? Everything good thing that you do is not necessarily a God thing.

The way to discern this is to understand :

A. Don’t plan without prayer

Philippians 4:6 (NKJV) 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; – Don’t be nervous about it. Just pray about it. Planning is necessary, but you got to prayer first. Ask God what His will is for you first, before you plan what you think.

Ex- The worst thing you can do and get 3yrs worth of credit hours under your belt and then realize, “This isn’t what I’m supposed to be doing”. You don’t have time to waste!

Proverbs 16:3 (NKJV) 3 Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. – You have your works and you have your thoughts. If your thoughts and your works are not lined up, you can be on a job, and yet your mind is somewhere else. You want your thoughts to be lined up with works, so you will be full throttle.

If I stay planted, then my thoughts will be of His thoughts.

B. Separate yourself from the crowd

Be clear that you hear from God, by getting the chatter out of your ear.

Jesus teaches early in his ministry this: In Matthew 4:4 (NKJV) 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”[a]- Jesus was sent into the wilderness to prepare as soon as he was baptized. Why was this? So he could fast, pray, and deal with demonic warfare. You don’t develop resistance until you are by yourself and learn how to deal with some stuff. You got to learn to separate yourself and ask the Lord to build you up, so where you go, you will always be able to handle it.

There comes a time we have to go reset, spend time with God, and asses our surroundings. For example, when you are in the frame, you really can’t see the picture within the picture frame. It’s only when you step outside the frame that you can see what others have been trying to tell you the whole time. When you step out of that, God starts showing you stuff. When you get back in the frame, then you can see better.

Here’s some questions you need to answer, concerning how you spend your time. Assign a percentage to each question and know that they have to total up to a 100%.

What % of your time do you spend in a 24hr period, working?

What % of your time do you spend doing domesticated work (that is things like family and home life)?

What % of your time do you spend pouring into yourself spiritually?

What % of time do you spend resting?

How many of you thought this was eye opening, seeing your life broken down this way?

How do your prepare to make things better, after seeing the results? Some of you have work to do after seeing this. At some point, you’re going to have to live.

III. Strengthen Your Commitments

A. View every job as a preparation for destiny

No job should be beneath you.

David (the king) is an example of this. David was being prepared as a shepherd boy long before being king, but he developed fundamental skills for being king, when he was a shepherd boy.

Being a shepherd boy:

David learned how lead sheep.

David learned to feed the sheep.

David learned how to correct sheep.

David learned how to protect the sheep.

Ex – Bishop said he had two jobs before becoming a Pastor. One was working with his dad which he hated. The other was working in a funeral home. He took care of dead bodies.

What could Bishop have learned from these two jobs that would help him with his job now as a Pastor? Think about it. In his work from his dad, he learned responsibility and he got his hard work ethic. From the funeral home, he learned how to talk to and comfort grieving families.

Now we must ask ourselves, what could our jobs possibly have taught that relates to our destiny? Know that every job you have ever held, had a lesson in it.

When the moment came we see in 1 Samuel 17:33-37 (NKJV) 33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”- When you look at where God is taking you and people question your qualifications, you will be able to answer that your prior job experiences have qualified you.

B. Don’t settle for ordinary, seek extraordinary

Matthew 14:28-29 (NKJV) 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. – Peter was willing to step outside the box. Ask yourself, what are doing now that is extraordinary? If you listen to people, you will end up truncating your vision.

Ask yourself, is all this grinding you are doing the result of being another of something that is already created? The answer is no. You will be that extraordinary one! You are the one that is going to do something that’s never been done before.

Some opportunities are closed to you, because they can’t handle your extraordinary. You can’t put an extraordinary person in an ordinary situation.

When you start seeing extraordinary. You start to sharpen your skills.

IV. Sharpen your skills

A. Invest in yourself.

The devil is trying to take your will away. You can fail to have the skill set, but if you have the will, this is when you will invest in yourself.

You have to invest in you, because you are the commodity

Questions to ask yourself

What are your most productive hours of the day?

What are my defined areas of skills and expertise?

What are my priories in life?

How prepared am I for the opportunities I am seeking.

Am I aligned with their I got people to reach my Destiny?

Do I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way?

When somebody offers you a job, you got to be ready. Your mind is

B. Create a successful mindset

Believe you will achieve what you have been called to accomplish. Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;- Inside of you is a work that God started. He will give you a magnetic pull for that thing He started in you.

The devil tried to copy this. This is why people with a vise is automatically drawn to the thing that they are struggling with.

If you are drawn to greatness, you will attract just that.

Have a clear vision of your destiny. Habakkuk 2:2 (NKJV) 2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. – It’s your vision. You can’t live your life based on other people’s vision.

Think about it. Why do they ask questions to verify that you are on the right plane, when all the info is on your ticket? It is because they know somebody will still end up getting on the wrong plane.

If you lose yourself in somebody else’ vision, you will never know what God has for your life.

Become a voracious reader. All leaders are readers.

People often ask Bishop, how does he study? The answer is this: His study habits don’t involve just books concerning religion. He reads This way, he is able to study the word contextually.

Proverbs 15:14 (NKJV) 14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

Be open to a higher level of thinking.

God wants to blow your mind. 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV) 9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”[a]- You really haven’t raised your level of thinking until what you imagine, scares you.

For those of you born in 80s, who would have ever imagined looking at somebody, while talking to them on a phone. That was something from right out of the Jetsons (the cartoon).

If Bishop would have listened to what people told him, where would Mt Zion be today? Where would Mt Zion be if he would have just stayed with the 11am service on Sunday at Jefferson St? God blew our minds!

V. Conclusion

Story:

There were 2 men fishing and each of them had a son. One father and son was catching fish and the other father and son duo wasn’t. One thing strange was happening though.The father and son that was catching fish, kept throwing them back. The father and son duo that was not catching anything decided to row their boat over to the other duo and find out why they were throwing fish back. After all, they weren’t catching anything.

When they first asked, no one said anything, then the son that wasn’t catching anything looked over into the boat. He said, “I know why they are throwing them back, Dad”. He said, “They only had a certain size frying pan!” See they were only keeping what would fit in their frying pan. In other words, they were keeping what they were prepared for.

God wants to blow your mind! You need to be prepared for what you are believing God for. You don’t want to be caught with not enough capacity to handle the blessing.

You have to learn to be steadfast. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV) 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Preparation – If you do the hard work it will set you up for position.

Position – Is waiting for people who are prepared. God is preparing a position to handle what you bring to it (for some).

Productivity – If He positions you, you will be It is hard to produce in an environment where God doesn’t want you to be.

Expect Persecution – People will ask why you are here. Know that your productivity will draw

Promotion – This finally comes. Romans 8:18 (NKJV) 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. – Preparation is going to be worth it! Your preparation will lead to your promotion!

This morning, I went to find a “sad face” emoji for a post and I had a strange revelation.

The problem is, I had trouble finding one in the area where my phone stores the emojis I have used recently.

Here’s the revelation that the Holy Spirit dropped on me. The reason I didn’t have a sad face in my stored emojis is, because I hardly ever post anything to be “sad” about.

This has a two-fold greatness. One is I try to post positive things and two, I have been blessed in such a way, that I don’t have anything sad to post about.

My point is, we need to try to spread positivity when we post. I’m not talking about the articles we post. I’m talking about the things we post from the heart.

We control the environment we dwell in and what we deposit in it is what we will “withdraw”. If we sow positive thoughts, then we will yield “positive responses”.

Somebody that you never met, looks up to you and they value everything that you say. Lets make a point to sow more positivity and refrain from sowing negativity in hopes that this environment that we live in will respond with love, laughter, joy, and positivity.

Remember the word INSPIRE = I need + people to + inspire and + restore the + environment!

I. Introduction

We found out in last week’s lesson that destiny is the end game and purpose is the path. When living in purpose, you live a life of fulfillment.

In additions we discussed that when you live in purpose, your life is so filled with purpose, you want to pour it out in earth. You live a full life and die empty, because you left behind what you were supposed to deposit.

Imagine if God dropped an incredible vision in your spirit and it was so big it would change the whole world. Who would you tell that would help you move it forward? Take a moment and try to name five people and write them down.

When you think about strategic relationships, you have to realize that they are required to make it to destiny. Know that because you require partnership, it doesn’t make you needy. The fact is, you need partnership to bring vision to pass.

Think about it, even Jesus used the disciples. John Haywood wrote a quote saying, “Many hands make light work. The more people you have on your time, the quicker you can make things come to pass”. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NKJV) says 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.- It is important to understand the power in partnership.

II. Make the right connection

A. Surround yourself with people who are dedicated to their vocation

The people Jesus used were already busy in their vocation when he found them. Matthew 4:18-22 (NKJV) 18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. – Jesus called men already working in their vocation. They had a track record of

People that are already doing something will help you best in implementing vision.

All the disciples had particular jobs before Jesus called them.

Those who excel in their area of work, have potential for greatness. Proverbs 22:29 (NKJV) 29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men. – People will recognize their work and speak well of them.

If a boat is catching fish and I’m not, then I won’t be jealous, I will pull up and ask them what kind of bait they are using.

Another example is this, if a bald man told you that he had discovered a great hair growth product, don’t follow him, because being bald, he doesn’t have any fruit to back up his claim of productivity. How does he know it will work? If he doesn’t have hair himself, then he doesn’t have any fruit. Find out if the people you use are bearing fruit.

The people that you pick to help with your vision don’t have to be working in the same area of your vision, when you find them. You just want their work ethic and spirit of producing fruit.

B. Seek partners who are passionate and creative.

You can’t always be the smartest person in the room. If you are, you are never going to get there. Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV) 17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. – You can’t be intimidated by brilliance. It doesn’t minimize you, it sharpens you.

You got to move towards people with passion and productivity. Proverbs 8:12 (NKJV) 12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion. – Open yourself up to people and things that will bless you and broaden your horizons.

George Bernard Shaw writes “Some men see things as they are and say why? I dream of things that never were and say why not “- You need people around you that can handle your why not questions.

Our purpose solves a problem. Why not create a noon bible study? Why not have 3 services instead of one? You have to put people in those spaces alongside of the people that will ask the question, “why not”.

Characteristics of highly creative people:

(Take a moment and write down who you have in your life that is highly creative).

Displays a great deal of curiosity about many things.

Generates a large number of ideas or solutions to problems and questions.

Willing to take risks.

Exhibits a good deal of intellectual playfulness.

Has a great sense of humor.

Enjoys aesthetic impressions. Visually moved by undeveloped spaces.

Typically does not conform to rules or standards.

III. Mature in relationship decision making

A. Don’t make immature decisions

Your ignorance can only be an excuse for so long. 1 Corinthians 13:11N (NKJV) 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

God gave you an ignorance pass, but he will only do it for so long. Acts 17:30 (NKJV) 30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

B. Learn how to be proactive and not reactive

You have to learn to make decisions that go beyond your preparation. You got to be sure that every move you make leads towards destiny.

Romans 8:5-8 (NKJV) 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. – Those who live according to flesh are reactive, because they are focused on their feelings and what just happened to them. They react.

The devil uses offense to cause you to react. If you react, it throws you off your game. That’s why people trash talk during games. They want to throw you off your game.

Imagine if you won $86,400. Say you went to the bank and cashed the check. They give you your money and on the way out, 10 dollars of it fell on the floor. Imagine that a person quickly picked up the $10 that fell and took off. Would you go after the person that picked up the 10 dollars or would you just be happy with the $86,390?

Now there are 86,400 seconds in a day and devil sent somebody to steal 10 seconds of your day, just trying to mess you up, or throw you off your path to your destiny. Messing around with that person could cost you a whole day of productivity. We got to get back on track and salvage those remaining, 86,390 seconds.

God will tip you off of things to come. Amos 3:7 (NKJV) 7 Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.- ,

Luke 8:17 (NKJV) says 17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.- God will tip you off of stuff coming. How does the pilot know you about to hit turbulence? It is cause he’s in touch with the tower. You might not get informed if you are not in touch with the tower (God).

IV. Measure the importance of your partnerships

A. Can your relationship move with you when you level up? Can the people in your life operate with you on your next level?

Some people are not cut out to handle your next move. If they are not supposed to go with you, your leap with have them at odds with you. 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NKJV) 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? – You need people connected that believe in where you’re going.

There are saved people that you can’t take with you. You can be loyal to a fault.

Bishop had an iPhone with an earpiece. He used to use this earpiece in both his iPhone and iPad. He decided, because of his needs, to upgrade his phone. The iPhone he purchased can no longer use the earpiece that he once depended on. He has to use another apparatus with his new iPhone. The earpiece started getting salty, because Bishop didn’t need it anymore.

Bishop explained to the earpiece, “You still have value in my iPad space, but you do not fit in the new iPhone space”.

Bishop further explained, “We are cool here, but when I need to go another level, I have to use another apparatus. I’m not going to compromise what I need over your feelings”. Bishop says, “I need you to be cool in your space”.

Just like this example, people functioned at capacity in your life, but God moved you up and stuff that used to fit, does not fit anymore. Bishop says, “ I am not going to mess up my iPhone plugging in stuff that doesn’t fit”.

Here’s another example. If that uncle showed up with that 8 track tap of Al Green and asked you to play it, what would you play it on? No one has an 8 track player anymore and the 8 track will not fit in your disc player or your iPod. The 8 track was valuable in one season, but it does not fit where you have advanced to.

B. Are your relationships timeless?

People you need to invest friends no matter where God brings you. Proverbs 17:17 (NKJV) 17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. – People that can handle you and intercede for you while you are going through are real friends.

It is hard to measure who authentically are assigned to your life in fair weather. That’s why God sends

It is hard to find out who your friends are while you driving, but you can see who your real friends are when you are at the bus stop.

You need consistent friends.

V. Conclusion

It’s lonely where you are going. The higher you go, the less people can handle the air space. The oxygen is less plentiful on your higher level.

You have to be selective. This is why Jesus picked Peter, James, and John to share a special moment with him. Matthew 17:1-8 (NKJV) 17 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us[a] make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.- Peter, James, and John were not perfect. God took productive men with him, because he knew they could handle his next level.

These 3 were able to understand what He looked like in the future and yet still be able to function in his right now.

You have to be strategic about your connections. Philippians 3:14 (NKJV) 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

We asked earlier, that you name about the 5 people that could use to help you with your vision. Would you still use them now?

God says when you walk in purpose going towards destiny, God will align you with people to expand your bandwidth. When walking towards your destiny, God will give you new connections. When they come, do not shun them. These are God moments. They might not be in your same career path, but they will open up doors for you. God will put a new thing around you.

People need you, but you will be reconnected with people that need nothing from you. They will be assigned to bless you.

I have been hearing a lot of controversy concerning players kneeling during the National Anthem. As I am a why person, I wanted to really dissect this thing. I wanted to know if it is wrong to kneel during this ceremony (for the lack of a better word), so I decided to do research on it.

Out of all the debates I’ve heard, I gathered that the main issue is the lack of respect for our flag. So I decided to examine the our Pledge of Allegiance to this flag, so I could get a better understanding of what this symbol really stands for and here’s what my research found:

I asked questions towards every definition, so that I could examine, both perspectives.

I pledge – This means a solemn promise or undertaking. So when I pledge to something, I am making a promise.

Allegiance – This means loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause. So far I am making a promise to be loyal to a group cause.

To the flag of the United States of America –So I am making a promise, to a group or cause using the flag I presume as a symbol of that cause. That group cause is the United States.

United is not just a noun, it is also an adjective meaning “joined together politically for a common purpose, or by common feelings”. So my question is, what if we are not united? Do I still make a promise of loyalty to the group cause that claims to be united when they are not?

And to the republic, for which it stands, one nation under God – republic meaning “a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives”. We have the republic part, but what if we are a republic that is not “one nation under God”?

The word “One” brings up that united perspective once again, but aside from that, can a nation that defies everything about God be truly “under God?” Can a nation that wants to remove the 10 commandments from public visibility, or a nation that removes prayer out of schools and from sports events, and a nation that considered taking “In God we trust” off of the currency be “one nation under God”?

So far we have, I promise to be loyal to a group or cause, being a country that is united, that has elected officials, that is also, one nation under God.

Indivisible – Indivisible means unable to be divided or separated. Are we truly a nation that is unable to be divided or separated?

With liberty– Liberty means the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views. Can we truly say that we have liberty? Can we be free of restrictions imposed by authority regarding the way a person chooses to live or their political view?

And Justice for all – Simply put, it means just behavior or treatment. The quality of being fair and reasonable. – America, can we truly say there is justice in this country by its definition? Are we fair to all races, all social classes, or a person’s financial status? And by fair I mean, can two different people be treated exactly the same surrounding the same circumstances? Can they get the same opportunity as it arises? Can these two different people even expect the same punishment for the same or similar crime?

In summary:

So in summary, I have as a pledge: I promise to be loyal to a group or cause, being a country that is united, that has elected officials as supreme power, that is one nation under God, that is unable to be divided or separated, that is free of restrictions imposed by authority regarding the way a person chooses to live or regarding their political view, and that promises fair or reasonable treatment to the members of it.

Should this be a pledge that we should make, based on it’s content?

These questions were posed to make you think. If I pledge allegiance to something, shouldn’t I agree that it is true or at the very least something I am trying to live by?

Regarding the issue of kneeling as a protest: I don’t think by definition that it has nothing to do with the soldiers. The pledge of allegiance has more to do with a promise to a symbol (the flag) that is supposed to stand for the great qualities that this country is supposed to have.

Although I stand during the National Anthem to avoid controversy, I don’t see anything wrong with a person that chooses to kneel in protest. I believe that if you feel that you are lying when you pledge your allegiance to something, then you shouldn’t do it. It is no different than refusing to recite a mission statement or promise that you feel has no truth to it.

I come from a family of soldiers and my respect is given to them directly not a symbol. To sum it up, I would just like to say, before you condemn somebody for not doing what the majority does, maybe you should step back and make sure that what the majority is doing is really on the side of right instead of being on the side of what’s politically correct.

I. Intro

What is your purpose tied to? The answer is destination. It is about the way things turn out.

God calls himself the author and finisher of your faith.

Jeremiah talks about the expected end.

Purpose is the vehicle that pushes us into destiny. Without purpose, I never reach

When I am clear about my assignment, my life becomes Fullness is not just for me, it is something I deposit into the earth. I live full, but I die empty meaning I leave everything here that God wanted me to leave here.

Destiny is not fulfilled It is a marathon not a Sprint. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) 12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Why is this important? Because God is the example of what it is to fulfill destiny. Sometimes we allow our own shortcomings to prevent us from walking into our destiny.

God has given us all, purpose. Purpose is in the mind of the creator. Exodus 9:16 (NKJV) says 16 But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.- There was a purpose that God had in mind for Moses and just like this, he has purpose inside of you. God will reveal it to you, but you got to be in position to receive it.

II. Look within yourself

A. Assess your life

Don’t confuse being busy with living in purpose. – We have busy schedules, but this is simply being in pursuit of a schedule. Doing a lot does not prove productivity.

Productivity is fulfilling that thing of God within your life

The key to being productive, is maximizing all the time in your life. Don’t waste time on things that are not tied to your purpose.

Ex – Bishop explains that he is a very busy man, but though he is busy, everything he does is tied to purpose. For example, he serves on many boards, but he wouldn’t volunteer to serve on the Board of Directors for a coffee manufacture for instance. This is probably a useful board, but it has nothing to do with his purpose. We have to be careful, not to take on any and everything that comes our way.

Lots of people are busy with stuff that has nothing to do with their purpose. Luke 10:38-42 (NKJV) says 38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’[a] feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus[b] answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”- You can’t get caught up in acting like your serving, when you’re really not. You can be busy acting like a servant and fail to spend time really serving.

Be clear on the purpose you are destined to fulfill – Isaiah 46:10 (NKJV) 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ – God reveals purpose to you and he wants you to have clarity on it.

You are born with a passion. This is often something that as a child, you want to be when you grow up. This is a broad idea of what you want to do. As you mature, it moves from a broad definition and becomes more focused. Once it is focused, you develop a passion for it that burns so much, you are on your job unable to concentrate on your job. Your passion begins to overshadow your concentration.

How does God give it to us? By prayer, scripture, listening to messages, and etc… For example, your Pastor initiates a theological voluntary diet plan for the people that he or she is called to pastor. This diet is designed to produce something. Everything is designed to take you on journey towards your destiny.

God is speaking to you, as he speaks to your Pastor.

Know that God is sovereign – Job 42:2 (NKJV) 2 “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. – God chooses to tell us what he wants our life to be. For example, if it had been up to Bishop, he would have been a lawyer, but God called him to do something else.

You got to be willing to exchange your will for His will.

You must be fully committed to God. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.- Basically, do what is right by God’s standards and all things will be added to you.

Purpose can’t be achieved apart from God.

Development of your natural talents and spiritual gifts is necessary.

You have to develop your natural talents. Write down 3 things that you thinl are your natural talents.

This is an example of Bishop asking questions of himself, to demonstrate talents and gifts:

Interviewer: Are you anointed to preach?

Bishop: I am anointed to hear from God.

Interviewer: So then, you are anointed to preach?

Bishop: I am anointed to hear from God, but I have a natural talent for adoration. There’s a lot of people that are anointed to hear from God that can’t preach.

Bishop: Early in my career, I developed my natural gift and worked on my communication, so that my handicaps would not hinder my delivery. The anointing is in my ability to hear from God, but I had to develop my public speaking.

Interviewer: So there are people that have an anointing to hear from God, but must develop their gift of deliver, so people can understand what God is saying?

Bishop: My mother would say, “When Joseph was young, he ran off the stage when it was time to do his Easter speech. He was terrified of speaking in front of people until he developed the gift to know how to command an audience”. No matter how anointed you are, if you can’t deliver, people don’t want to hear what you have to say.

If you have a deficiency and you don’t develop it, you will question your natural gifts. Don’t sleep on your natural gifts. Develop it, build on it, and do what you can do.

God wires you toward your purpose. Your likes and your passion is all geared in some way towards your purpose.

You must learn to view yourself the way God views you. Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.- God wired you this way. He gave you the personality and the skills and everything you have. When Bishop was young, he could not sit still. He had to be doing something all the time. They didn’t know it then, but God had given Bishop the energy for all that he does now, when he very young.

God preprogrammed you for what you about to do.

B. Believe that God has called you to greatness.

When you properly align everything, and realize what is inside you, it will blow your mind. 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV) 9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”[a]- Bishop often gets the question, “Did you imagine Mt Zion would be where it is today? The answer is no and God didn’t reveal it either, because the guy that started Mt Zion couldn’t have handled a vision that big at that time.

Think about your biggest dream and biggest vision and that is a map to God. We have no idea what God wants to do in our lives. What we call big, God is just a start for God.

For some people, if you could see yourself in your future.

III. Listen with intentionality

A. Be attentive to the voice of God

Just the other day, Javonte (Bishop’s daughter) comes to the kitchen table, stands up, and says, “God talks to me”. Bishop and First Lady ask, “What did God say”? Javonte replies, “God just talks to me”. She said, “God doesn’t talk when its loud, He talks when it’s quiet. She said he tells me what to do”.

We have a Hollywood image of what God sounds like, but it is not always like that for everyone.

1 Kings 19:11-12 (NKJV) 11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. – God is in that still small voice. You heard it so many times, but you thought you were tripping. God don’t stutter. Think about some of the decisions you’ve made that went against what that still small voice told you to do.

B. Learn to follow God’s instructions

Psalm 25:4-5 (NKJV) 4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.- David understood this in a powerful way.

1 Chronicles 15:12-15 (NKJV) says 12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. 13 For because you did not do it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.” 14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel. 15 And the children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord.- People s lives are at stake. Their lives depend on if you hear God or not.

God instructs Bishop. From the Virtual Church to the Saturday Services, this was all part of God’s instructions. When God speaks to you, walk in it. People’s lives depend on it.

IV. Leverage your lived experience

A. God has a greater purpose in saving you.

2 Timothy 1:9 (NKJV) 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,- God saved you for a great purpose.

Don’t allow circumstances to mess sup your purpose. You will have trials and tribulation but remember what John 16:33 says. John 16:33 (NKJV) sys 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will[a] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”- You will have stuff formed against you, but know that you can overcome it.

B. Purpose is powered by your past

God will use all of it. Romans 8:28 (NKJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. – God takes the good bad and the ugly and uses it all for you benefit.

Stop letting your past put you into prison.

Don’t let your sorrow keep you from soaring.

V. Conclusion

Don’t be ashamed of your story. God took it all and made a gumbo of it. Don’t say anything about purpose if you haven’t been through some things.

Everything you do, must align itself. The core values you wrote down are who you you’re Your Natural talents are what you do. Your Spiritual gifts is why you do what you do. Your be, your do, and your why have to line up.

Every ministry you belong to should line up with your destiny. Don’t make a career move unless it lines up in your destiny.

Your relationships should line up with your destiny too. Stop these pit stop relationships and go for the people that are in it for the long haul.

Amos 3:3 (NKJV) says 3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

God is going to complete what he has started. Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) says 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Don’t be uprooted- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV) says 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. – Stay where God tells you to stay. Don’t be uprooted. Your purpose is tied to that place. We have too many potted plant Christians willing to move as soon as trouble comes their way.

Romans 8:18-21 (NKJV) says 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.- The world is waiting on you to get into your purpose!